Rep. Blake Carpenter

Maddy summaryHB 2599, known as the "Kansas lemonade stand law," exempts minor-owned businesses (operated solely by individuals under 18) from paying state sales tax and local taxes, licenses, or permits on the first $10,000 of annual sales of goods. It specifically applies to small, seasonal or intermittent businesses like lemonade stands, where minors make under $10,000 yearly in gross sales. The law removes both state-level sales tax obligations and local government fees for qualifying businesses. This policy directly supports young entrepreneurs by reducing startup costs for small-scale, temporary ventures.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific segment of K-5 highway in Wyandotte County (from the junction of K-5 and N. 18th Street west to N. 38th Street) as the "Representative Marvin S. Robinson II Memorial Highway." It also redesignates a portion of Interstate 635 (from the Kansas-Missouri border south to its junction with K-5 highway) as the "Harry Darby Memorial Highway." The bill requires the Kansas Secretary of Transportation to install highway signs marking both routes, following standard procedures. This is a procedural memorial designation with no substantive policy changes to transportation law.

Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses support for federal funding and authorization of a program designed to research and develop affordable, domestically made drones for public safety use. It specifically encourages the U.S. Department of Commerce to fund projects that create small, uncrewed aerial systems in the United States to reduce reliance on foreign manufacturers. The document also endorses the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2025, which restricts the federal government and its grant recipients from purchasing or operating DJI drones. Additionally, the resolution supports a provision requiring the Department of Defense to assess and potentially ban DJI drones within a year due to security concerns.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to Kansas to explicitly define the right to bear arms as a natural and fundamental right that includes owning ammunition, firearm accessories, and components. It requires that any government restrictions on this right must pass the strict scrutiny legal standard, which is the highest level of judicial review. If passed by the legislature and approved by voters, the change would strengthen existing gun protections by clarifying the scope of items covered and the level of protection they receive.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House resolution that honors the life and public service of Representative Melody McCray-Miller, who passed away in February 2026. It recognizes her decades of work in education, business, and government, including her roles as a teacher, restaurant owner, county commissioner, state representative, and community leader. The resolution formally acknowledges her contributions to Kansas families and communities but does not create new laws or change any policies. Its only effect is to officially celebrate her legacy within the Kansas House of Representatives.

Maddy summaryThis House resolution honors the life and public service of Representative Harold Lane, a former Kansas state representative from Topeka. The bill formally recognizes his contributions to local governance, his business career, and his legislative work on committees such as Appropriations and Energy and Environment. It serves as a commemorative tribute rather than enacting new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis resolution schedules a special session of the Kansas House of Representatives for March 26, 2026, to welcome Ambassador Alexander Tah-ray Yui. The bill grants the ambassador the privilege to speak on the floor and authorizes the Speaker to recognize him for the address. Additionally, it appoints a committee of six House leaders to attend to the ambassador during the event. This measure is a procedural formality that facilitates a diplomatic greeting rather than enacting new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis Kansas House resolution honors U.S. military veterans who served in Honduras between 1981 and 1992 and urges the federal Congress to award them the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. The bill argues that these service members faced similar hazardous conditions to those who received the medal for service in El Salvador during the same period, creating an inconsistency in recognition. By requesting this specific federal decoration, the resolution seeks to provide equitable acknowledgment for the risks and sacrifices made by these veterans.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution strengthens the sister-state relationship between Kansas and Taiwan by reaffirming their shared democratic values and celebrating 37 years of partnership. The bill highlights existing academic exchanges and trade ties, such as drone industry visits and Mandarin language programs, while expressing support for future bilateral investment agreements. It also formally endorses Taiwan's participation in international organizations like the World Health Organization and the United Nations, arguing that such inclusion benefits global health and safety.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House Resolution that formally recognizes and honors the life and public service of Representative John Resman, who represented Kansas's 121st District. The resolution highlights his extensive background in law enforcement, including service in the U.S. Army, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and the Johnson County Sheriff's Office, before his election to the state legislature. It commemorates his legislative work on committees related to corrections, federal affairs, and public safety, as well as his advocacy for fiscal responsibility and education. The resolution concludes by expressing condolences to his family following his passing in March 2026.